Why am I Blogging About the Mediterranean Diet?

I know, just what the world needs another blogger. Two months ago, I completed my dissertation and vowed I would never spend another weekend in my home office. For the last 3.5 years, I only wanted to be outside, walking the beach and paddle boarding in my backyard. Why am I sitting inside and blogging about the Mediterranean Diet? I am happier and healthier today than twenty years ago and want to share that experience with you. Olive Sunshine will not be an instructional manual, but an account of my husband’s and my journey to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

At 49 years old, I live in sunny Florida, on an island. Residing with my handsome husband, Mark, I am lucky to enjoy the company of friends and family. My work as an educator is fulfilling. I am fortunate to work with youth I am blessed to help. On New Year’s Eve ringing in 2019, my husband, Mark (or my Sweetheart), asked me to help him lose weight. I had been on Weight Watchers since 2017. On Weight Watchers, I had successfully reached my goal weight. While I lost weight while on Weight Watchers, every time I stopped to tracking my food, my weight crept up. Tracking my food was time consuming and boring. I really did not want to add tracking my husband’s points to my day. My sweetheart certainly would not track his own.

On New Year’s Day we drove to the local bookstore and selected two cookbooks featuring the Mediterranean Diet. I read and created menus. Mark, who does the shopping, stocked a Mediterranean Diet pantry. On January 4, 2019 we started our new journey.

Why the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean Diet is ranked as the best overall diet in the world by medical professionals as reported by the The US News and World Report. Just the name Mediterranean Diet caught my attention. My husband, of Sicilian descent, loves all things Mediterranean. In 2016, we spent 18 days in Italy on our honeymoon. Touring vineyards, eating scrumptious meals, and delving into cooking classes, we had discovered a mutual passion. 

Moving to Italy is not an option right now. We fully embrace this way of eating, living the way we would if we lived in the Mediterranean. Popular social media communities refer to the Mediterranean Diet as a way of eating (WOE). It is not how one would commonly view a diet. Instead of denying yourself, the Mediterranean Diet focuses on what you can enjoy. Delicious, fresh, foods you can eat: whole grains, vegetables, fruit, spices and herbs, seafood, red wine and plenty of olive oil.  A delicious way of eating and living. 

Italians make time to eat, and choose fresh ingredients carefully. Eating meals is a celebrated event in Italy. I am happy to spend my time planning menus, selecting fresh ingredients, and preparing dishes rather than counting points. Eating slowly, sharing meals, and participating in physical activity with friends and family are hallmarks of the Mediterranean Diet.

Olive Sunshine will focus on menu preparation tips, fresh food shopping ideas, recipes and Mediterranean Diet resources. Please join the Olive Sunshine community. I want to hear from you as I am sitting inside blogging about the Mediterranean Diet. Please share your thoughts and ideas if you share the same passion for healthy living. There is not a better day to treat yourself to a good life than today.

Arrivederci (until next time),